Pronunciation: NYE-troe-GLIS-er-in
Generic Name: Nitroglycerin
Brand Name: Nitrolingual Pumpspray
Nitroglycerin Spray is used for:
Preventing or relieving a sudden attack of angina (chest pain) caused by heart disease. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Nitroglycerin Spray is a nitrate. It works by dilating (widening) blood vessels. Chest pain occurs when the heart needs more oxygen than it can get. Dilating blood vessels allows blood to flow more easily. This reduces the heart's workload and the amount of oxygen needed by the heart.
Do NOT use Nitroglycerin Spray if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Nitroglycerin Spray, to other nitrates (eg, isosorbide mononitrate), or to nitrites
- you have severe anemia or increased pressure in the head
- you are also taking a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (eg, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Nitroglycerin Spray:
Some medical conditions may interact with Nitroglycerin Spray. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of other heart problems (eg, heart failure, enlarged heart, heart attack), overactive thyroid, stroke or other bleeding in the brain, or recent head injury
- if you have anemia, low blood pressure, dehydration, or low blood volume
- if you drink alcoholic beverages
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nitroglycerin Spray. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), medicines for high blood pressure, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) because the risk of low blood pressure and dizziness on standing may be increased
- Salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may increase the risk of Nitroglycerin Spray's side effects
- Long-acting nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin patch) because they may decrease Nitroglycerin Spray's effectiveness
- Ergot derivatives (eg, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Nitroglycerin Spray
- Alteplase because its effectiveness may be decreased by Nitroglycerin Spray
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nitroglycerin Spray may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Nitroglycerin Spray:
Use Nitroglycerin Spray as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Nitroglycerin Spray. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Do NOT shake Nitroglycerin Spray.
- Do NOT inhale the spray. Nitroglycerin Spray is to be used on or under the tongue.
- Before using the medicine for the first time, prime the pump by spraying once into the air away from yourself and others. If you do not use Nitroglycerin Spray within 6 weeks, reprime by spraying once into the air.
- To use Nitroglycerin Spray, remove the plastic cover. Hold the container upright with your forefinger on top of the grooved button. Open your mouth and bring the container as close to your mouth as possible. Press the button firmly to release the spray onto or under your tongue. Release the button and close your mouth.
- Replace the plastic cover after you are finished using Nitroglycerin Spray.
- Do not swallow right away you use a dose. Do not spit or rinse your mouth for 5 to 10 minutes after you use Nitroglycerin Spray.
- To treat an angina attack, use 1 to 2 sprays on or under the tongue as directed by your doctor. Sit quietly after using a dose. A spray may be repeated every 3 to 5 minutes as directed by your doctor. Do not use more than 3 sprays in 15 minutes unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If chest pain continues after a total of 3 sprays, seek medical attention at once, unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
- If you use Nitroglycerin Spray to prevent angina caused by physical activity, use it 5 to 10 minutes before activity unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Check the level of fluid in your container regularly. The end of the pump should be covered by the fluid level. If the fluid level does not cover the end of the pump, you should get a refill of Nitroglycerin Spray.
- If you miss a dose of Nitroglycerin Spray and you are still having chest pain, contact your doctor right away. Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about the proper use of Nitroglycerin Spray.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nitroglycerin Spray.
Important safety information:
- Nitroglycerin Spray may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Nitroglycerin Spray with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are using Nitroglycerin Spray. Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of low blood pressure with Nitroglycerin Spray.
- Nitroglycerin Spray may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting. Sit down while taking Nitroglycerin Spray to avoid falling caused by light-headedness or dizziness.
- Contact your doctor right away if you develop slow heartbeat or new or worsening chest pain after you take Nitroglycerin Spray.
- The risk of tolerance to Nitroglycerin Spray may be greater if you take Nitroglycerin Spray in high doses or more often than prescribed. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Nitroglycerin Spray is flammable. Do not store near an open flame. Do not force open or burn the container.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Nitroglycerin Spray before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Nitroglycerin Spray should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Nitroglycerin Spray while you are pregnant. It is not known if Nitroglycerin Spray is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Nitroglycerin Spray, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
When used at higher doses or more often than prescribed, Nitroglycerin Spray may not work as well. This is known as TOLERANCE. Tolerance to other nitrates and nitrites may also occur. Increasing the dose is not effective in managing tolerance to Nitroglycerin Spray. Talk with your doctor if Nitroglycerin Spray stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.
Possible side effects of Nitroglycerin Spray:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; headache; light-headedness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; dry mouth; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; flushing; heavy sweating; nausea; new or worsening chest pain; pale skin; redness or scaling of the skin; severe or persistent dizziness, light-headedness, or headache; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual weakness; vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Nitroglycerin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include changes in vision; cold and clammy skin; confusion; dizziness; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; flushing; light-headedness; nausea; paralysis; persistent, throbbing headache; seizures; shortness of breath; sweating; vomiting; weakness.
Proper storage of Nitroglycerin Spray:
Store Nitroglycerin Spray at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Protect from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in bathroom. Keep Nitroglycerin Spray out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Nitroglycerin Spray, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Nitroglycerin Spray is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Nitroglycerin Spray. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Nitroglycerin resources
- Nitroglycerin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Nitroglycerin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Nitroglycerin Drug Interactions
- Nitroglycerin Support Group
- 6 Reviews for Nitroglycerin - Add your own review/rating
Compare Nitroglycerin with other medications
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- Angina
- Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis
- Heart Attack
- Heart Failure
- High Blood Pressure
- Raynaud's Syndrome
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